i'm new to this forum malarkey and was wondering if anyone can offer advice as to a few niggles with my 1999 3dr manual rav4 (72000miles).

timing belt has never been changed - is it straightforward doing it yourself ?
alarm goes off occasionally for no reason - would like to disable it permanently
1st to 2nd gear change has always been a bit rough - is this a common problem ?
slight grating noise on full lock at low speed

i've had the car 5 years, it's been great and is still in vgc, but is it worth messing with or should i replace it ?
it's just passed it's MOT.

any guidance from anchorman (who i believe lives in Chapel-en-le-Frith, so do i) would be particularly welcome as i'm not good at this email/computer stuff ! - but all comments are welcome !

please - no technical computer terms like open this browser/cut and paste this link or whatever, but technical car terms i can handle !

Tell you what. Why don't you nip around for a brew and I'll have a listen. You've possibly seen my motor knocking around so if you don't know where it lives I'll pm you (that means send you a personal message!)

Its always worth messing with it if you don't mind getting your hands dirty and changing that cam belt is a good place to start.

Is that you opposite the doctors?

Hi Patterdale, a kindred spirit cos i know s*d all about computers, but then i know s*d all about cars either.. Anchs "Anchorman" does in deed know more about Ravs than TOYOTA do, he also knows about trains + woodwork + sheep + lots of other things, in fact he is pretty darn clever at everything, which can be perplexing for us lesser mortals however the man you want is Bothwell Buyer, Bothy to his friends which you will soon be, when he learns you have a 3dr petrol Rav, this man is our 4.1 guru he sometimes lapses into a slight scottish accent but we have a few peeps on here able to translate if need be, welcome to the club I,m sure Anchs will also be able to help + you can always pop round, he does a great cuppa, however steer clear of the strawberry pear cider.. Stew

many thanks for speedy reply,
i'm up off Crossings - i don't recognise your motor

thanks for the tips Stew - looks like the old rav could be getting a new lease of life !

pm sent.

timing belt has never been changed - is it straightforward doing it yourself ?

its about as easy as any other if not easier because of the ground clearance. buy a haynes manual and that will help. should be changed at 63,000 have you changed one before

alarm goes off occasionally for no reason - would like to disable it permanently

if you remove the panel underneath the steering wheel (where your fuses are) there is a toyota tvss iiib sesitivity adjuster. it probably too sensitive just turn the control knob and retest.

1st to 2nd gear change has always been a bit rough - is this a common problem ?

you can adjust the clutch pedal a bit that usually help engage and diengage the clutch fully.

slight grating noise on full lock at low speed

check your brake pads they maybe getting low, mine made this noise and one brake pad was down to the back plate. good that i was changing my brakes anyway, it might also be the brake disk guard thats rots away.



hope this helps

anymore questions just ask

many thanks - will try these

du

19999 3 door

Car needs luv and attention that only I can give... what colour is it??

If its not silver, then I won't offer a few quid to buy it and may even proffer some help....

Derbyshire from Glasgow?? Probably about 2 hours I reckon - and I need to get 200 miles onto my racing clutch afore I really put the beast under stress!!! Now sporting a 3 paddle Exedy clutch to shift the 400bhp ..............

The 3SFE engine is a fairly reliable lump but will need a belt at the miles you quote. My 3SFE engine gave up at 160k miles cos of a crankshaft oil leak.

The alarms seemed to be sht

and the gearbox you have you should be proud of - good for 350bhp+ and yer car is shoving out 127bhp. try a change of oil to a decent oil and get the gearchange mech lubed at the knuckles etc.